Proximity Detector

This proximity detector is constructed using an infrared diode detector. Infrared detector can be used in various equipment such as burglar alarms, touch free proximity switches for turning on a light, and solenoid-controlled valves for operating a water tap. Briefly, the circuit consists of an infrared transmitter and an infra-red receiver (such as Siemens SFH506-38 used in TV sets).

  The transmitter part consists of two 555 timers (IC1 and IC2) wired in astable mode, as shown in the figure, for driving an infrared LED. A burst output of 38 kHz, modulated at 100 Hz, is required for the infrared detector to sense the trans mission; hence the setup as shown is required.  To save power, the duty cycle of the 38kHz astable multivibrator is maintained at 10 per cent.  The receiver part has an infrared detector comprising IC 555 (IC3), wired for operation in monostable mode, followed by pnp transistor T1. Upon reception of infrared signals, the 555 timer (mono) is turned  ‘on’ and it re-mains  ‘on’ as long as the infrared signals are being received.  

Circuit Diagram :

Proximity Detector Circuit Diagram

 

When no more signals are received, the mono goes  ‘off’ after a few seconds (the delay depends on timing resistor-capacitor combination of R7-C5). The de-lay obtained using 470kilo-ohm resistor and 4.7µF capacitor is about 3 seconds. Unlike an ordinary mono, the capacitor in this mono is allowed to charge only when the reception of the signal has stopped, because of the pnp transistor T1 that shorts the charging capacitor as long as the output from IR receiver module is available (active low).  This setup can be used to detect proximity of an object moving by. Both transmitter and receiver can be mounted on a single breadboard/PCB, but care should be taken that infrared receiver is behind the infrared LED, so that the problem due to infrared leak-age is obviated.  

An object moving nearby actually reflects the infrared rays from the infrared LED. As the infrared receiver has a sensitivity angle of 60o, the IR rays are sensed within this lobe and the mono in the receiver section is triggered. This principle can be used to turn ‘on’ the light, using a relay, when a person comes nearby. The same automatically turns  ‘off’ after some time, as the person moves away. The sensitivity depends on the current limiting resistor in series with the infrared LED. It is ob-served that with in circuit resistance of preset VR1 set at 20 ohms, the object at a distance of about 25 cms can be sensed.  This circuit can be used for burglar alarms based on beam interruption, with the added advantage that the transmitter and receiver are housed in the same enclosure, avoiding any wiring problems.

Basic Phototransistor Detector dIAGRAM

This is a Phototransistor Detector circuit. In this circuit, when the light falling on the phototransistor (Q1) is blocked, its conductance will decrease and the voltage across Q1 will rise. When the voltage rises above 1/2 of the supply voltage the output of the comparator will turn ON and the LED will be lit.

The only critical part of this circuit is the value of resistor R1 which in most cases can be 470K ohms but may have to be increase if the room is dark or decreased if the room is well lit.

Increasing the value of R1 will cause the sensitivity of the sensor to decrease. This may be necessary when the light falling on the cell is not very strong or shadows can affect the phototransistor.

There are a number of phototransistors sizes and case styles. The smaller cases will be easier to hide but connecting wires may be more difficult. 

Belgian Earth Fault Detector

Having been affected by earth fault accidents,  the author put together this little schema. It  consist of just three elements: the neon with its  original resistor for example, salvaged from  the switch on an AC power bar and a small  capacitor (class Y) salvaged from the electronics of a low-consumption lamp.


A larger capacitance makes the neon glow brighter. All this  for no money at all. The neon lights only when there is an efficient Earth present. This works  well at the author’s home, with Live or Neutral either way round. In the Elektor laboratory based in The Netherlands, some concerns  were expressed as described in the June 2011  issue [1], as the schema was sensitive to the relative positions of the Live and Neutral. So the  Earth fault detector can also be used as a Phase  detector, but probably in Belgium only.

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The whole thing can easily be incorporated into a power socket; the author used a small transparent cover to protect the neon.

Note. As opposed to the UK and the US, some AC  power outlets in Belgium  and all in The  Netherlands are not polarized, i.e. AC power plugs (both earthed  and non-earthed) can be inserted either way around.

Author : Marc Mertz – Copyright : Elektor